Source: Craigslist suspect Philip Markoff had items from victims

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Apr 22, 2009 | 5:11 PM

BOSTON - A Boston University medical student accused of robbing women who advertised erotic services on Craigslist, killing one of them, had items belonging to both victims in his apartment, a law enforcement source said Wednesday.

Philip Markoff is charged with killing a masseuse at the Marriott Copley Place hotel April 14. He is also charged in the robbery of another woman who he allegedly met at another Boston hotel four days earlier.

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A law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said police found items belonging to both women in Markoff's apartment in Quincy, south of Boston. The source wasn't authorized to speak about evidence in the investigation.

The source would not confirm a report by ABC News that the items seized by police included the victims' underwear. ABC News said two unidentified law enforcement sources said Markoff appeared to be collecting underwear as "souvenirs" from his alleged victims.

Investigators are looking into gambling as the possible motivation. The law enforcement source says Markoff was a "frequent visitor" to Foxwoods casino in Connecticut.

Markoff, 23, is accused in the death of Julissa Brisman, 26, of New York City, a masseuse who was found dead in the doorway of her hotel room after being bashed in the head and shot three times. He's also suspected of robbing and tying up another, and police have said there could be more victims.